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It almost goes without saying that for British author Tom Bradby to have attained his current status in the world of journalism, he must be able to write. Those of us who have read his two previous novels of suspense, Shadow Dancer and Sleep of the Dead can attest to the fact that his skill in writing extends beyond mere reporting of facts. Formerly a political correspondent in Ireland for ITN, Bradby has more latterly been posted in Asia. Unsurprising, then, that The Master of Rain has the ring of authenticity both in its setting and in its historical detail. The main protagonist of this book is Richard Field, an idealistic Yorkshireman newly come to Shanghai. One wonders at Bradby's choice of background for Field. Certainly, the Yorkshire accent is one which, for me at least, has an unexplainable attraction but what did the author see to cause him to so categorise Field. Was it a Yorkshireman's bluntness and honesty? Both these attributes are exhibited by this attractive but tormented character. Impecunious Field, once in Shanghai, is placed in the Special Branch of the local police force. He discovers that there are two factions within the body, one led by Crime chief Macleod and one by the head of Special Branch, Granger. There is a great deal of ill will between the two groups, heightened by the fact that the position of Commissioner is to become vacant and both men are candidates for the job. A Russian woman, Lena Orlov, a prostitute working as a tea dancer, has been murdered in a particularly horrible way. Field is attached to the Crime team to help solve the murder. Local underworld figure, Lu Huang, is suspected of being involved in the crime yet it is made clear to Field that the Chinaman is above any action to be taken by the police. Field meets a friend of Lena's, beautiful Natasha Medvedev, and becomes fearful that she may soon be another victim of the killer. But Medvedev is a Russian girl and in the Shanghai society of the time, is considered unimportant and totally expendable. Field is soon unexpectedly on friendly terms with his American partner, Caprisi, as the two, together with Chinese detective Chen, attempt to solve the crime. It becomes obvious to Field that a large component of the police force has been suborned to Lu Huang's team. How many of the police are, indeed, traitors unwilling to solve a string of brutal murders is unclear and Richard finds his certainties becoming less certain as he attempts to distinguish between friend and renegade. Field himself is torn between clinging to his honest poverty or accepting largesse either from his wealthy and powerful uncle or the dubious special 'allowance' which has been deposited into his bank account. The Shanghai of 1926 comes to life in Bradby's deft portrayal of the conditions pertaining there at the time. The attitude of the old British Raj where a pampered few were catered to by completely biddable servants is brilliantly depicted. The plight of the Russians fleeing the Communists newly come to power in their homeland is poignantly portrayed. The conflict that must be endured by an idealistic young man is excellently drawn and the entire story told in a crisp prose style and at a cracking pace. The plot is very well done with no obvious suspension of disbelief required. Altogether an exciting, gripping read which one can only hope will be followed by further novels of equal merit. Editoržs note: The cover shown is that of the UK paperback, released on 22 Jan 2002. At the time of this posting, there was no US cover shown.
Reviewed by Denise Wels, February 2002
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